Yesterday Google Fiber formally unveiled plans to build an ultra-high speed Internet and cable network in the Kansas Cities (Missouri and Kansas) that runs about 100 times faster than the current standard. I live there. So before the livestreamed announcement had finished buffering (and buffering ... and buffering ...) over my old service provider, my wife and I plunked down our $10 deposit toward the future and were rallying others to join us via our Facebook neighborhood watch group. Why? Installation hinges on the formation of "fiberhoods," blocs of about 5-10% of the total residents in a given area, meaning the communities that sign up the most people fastest will be first served.

As of Friday morning, at least 10 of the region's 180 or so zones had tipped. To help sell the rest, Google will open a fiber demo shop on Saturday, complete with multiple fiber-wired living rooms for residents who want a test drive first. (Something tells us this won't be the last such space.) Here's a sneak peak at the gadgets, user interface, and ambiance behind the push:

Brick And Fiber

The demo space itself is located along the state line in midtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Google Fiber House

The demo space itself is located along the state line in midtown Kansas City, Missouri.

G-nius Bar

Inside, future customers are greeted by a "fiber team" of brand consultants who give tours.

The Setup

Fiber living rooms are rigged with a Network Box, TV Box, and Storage Box for modem, cable and DVR, respectively. It's not an Internet connection. It's a lifestyle.

G Unit

Each device looks bulky but is designed to be stackable to conserve space.

Tower of Google

The side of the tower with all plug-ins and cabling.

Fiber Flipper

All of the tech is controlled by a Nexus 7 tablet remote and streams on multiple devices.

G UI

The tablet controller offers various choices without interrupting streams on other devices.

G Wiz

More user interface.

Google Fiber House

Yet even more UI.

G Biz

One business application could be telepresence meetings using Cisco's camera, codec, mic, and control system.

Fiber ... For Health

A waiting room and private telepresence area lets community members visit virtually with nutritionists at nearby University of Kansas Medical Center. Get it? Fiber?

Google Fiber Maps

Residents who sign up are encouraged to tag their future "fiberhood" on a giant wall map.